International Diabetes Federation to Address Gaps in Diabetes Education Through Global Network of Centres

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM--(Marketwire - June 18, 2009) - A person with diabetes needs to make a multitude of decisions related to managing their diabetes each day. To do this they need to acquire the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for self care. This requires education. In addition, the growing number of people with diabetes is putting stress on healthcare systems globally. Healthcare professionals need support to ensure that appropriate education is available to people with diabetes to help them manage their diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is rising to the challenge by creating a voluntary international network of Centres of Education to address gaps in diabetes education at all levels and to support IDF educational efforts globally.

Helen McGuire, the IDF Diabetes Education Manager explained that there is inadequate access to diabetes self-management education for people living with diabetes and a shortage of interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals with specific training in diabetes.

"Access to an interdisciplinary team of specially trained health care providers improves outcomes for people with diabetes," said McGuire. "Increasing the number of trained health care providers globally and redesigning methods of service delivery are two strategies to improve care for people with diabetes. IDF Centres of Education will work together to find innovative solutions to increase access to education and advance diabetes education and care."

IDF Centres of Education will drive initiatives that build regional capacity to respond to the diabetes epidemic through collaborative partnerships with other centres for chronic disease and will form a part of an international voluntary network to initiate, facilitate, conduct, coordinate and evaluate high-quality education for healthcare professionals in diabetes and other related chronic diseases.

Associacao Protectora dos Diabeticos de Portugal (APDP) has been chosen by IDF as its first Centre of Education. APDP has proven that it is has the ability to lead capacity building and advancement of diabetes education and management nationally. The Centre is providing health care professional education programmes that are consistent with the IDF International Curriculum for Diabetes Health Professionals and is committed to assuming the role of an IDF Centre of Education at an organizational level.

"The recognition of APDP as the first IDF Centre of Education is the international acknowledgement of the vision of its founder, Ernesto Roma and his followers and paves the way for a future with a challenging responsibility in improving diabetes care. In 1926, Roma said that 'the role of health professionals is not so much taking care of people with diabetes as teaching them how to manage it themselves', therefore promoting their social integration and putting them at the centre of care," said Mr. Luis Gardete Correia, Presidente da Associacao Protectora dos Diabeticos de Portugal.

Marg McGill, IDF Senior Vice-President and Chair of the IDF Consultative Section on Diabetes Education said that, "for more than 80 years the APDP has been committed to providing high quality education and clinical services for people with diabetes, their families and health professionals living in Portugal. Undoubtedly, in view of its pioneering reputation, APDP as the first International Diabetes Federation Centre of Education will act as a role model for diabetes organizations and ministries of health, globally. This will be particularly important for countries where non-communicable diseases like diabetes are not a priority on the health agenda."

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 200 member associations in more than 160 countries, representing over 250 million people with diabetes, their families, and their healthcare providers. The mission of IDF is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. Its main activities include education for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, public awareness campaigns and the promotion and exchange of information. IDF is a non-governmental organization in official relations with WHO and associated to the United Nations' Department of Public Information. For more information, please visit www.idf.org and follow us at twitter.com/IntDiabetesFed